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The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2015-04-30

The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2015-04-30 page 1

Angels shave for a cause PACE 3 Relays honor Coolcy FACE 12 Old town hall razed PASES l' v.- I ail, :r f,fV Issue 18, Volume 33 Breaking news at theamherstne vst lmes.com Thursday, April 30, 2015 $1 Li U UUUUCiLlU W IWe) n . n fnr a II if I LI By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com Amherst taxpayers will foot an estimated $10,000 to $12,000 bill for a Democratic primary election on May 5, even though there are no contested races. Newcomer Justin Stevens filed in early February to challenge Amherst city council president John Dietrich. Under Ohio law, that created a primary.But Stevens withdrew March 3. Other Democrats seeking mayoral, council, and law director seats have no opponents, making the primary a bit of an empty hat. There are no run-offs on the Republican side of the aisle, either. Uncontested Republicans' names won't appear on the May ballot, however, because there was never a primary kicked off by a Dietrich challenger's filing. "This is not a one-time thing that has only happened in Lorain County, in Amherst," said county elections board director Paul Adams. He said similar scenarios have occurred statewide, causing elections association members to push for reforms. For example, there have been situations when a candidate has filed to run requiring a primary but has not provided enough valid signatures to meet the legal requirements of candidacy. There is no appeals process or way to cancel the election. "The law says it works this way," Adams said, sounding IN NOVEMBER This fall, Amherst races include: Mayor: David Kukucka (D) vs. Mark Costilow (R) Council at-large: David Janik (D), Joe Miller (D). Garrett Knoll (R), and Phil Van Treuren (R) will vie for three open seats. Second Ward: Angie Schubert (D) vs. Dave Goodell (R) Third Ward: David Shaffer (D) vs. Charles Winiarski (R) Note: Uncontested positions will go to law director Anthony Pecora (D), First Ward rep Steve Bukovac (D), and Fourth Ward rep Jennifer Wasilk(R). frustrated. "Whether the election has meaning is not for me to decide." Cities are charged for every election. In this case, Adams said it will cost up to $12,000 for ballots, poll workers, training, precinct supplies, and delivery of voting equipment. There is one minor exception: Some voters on Amherst's See COST I 5 Firelands puts hopes in renewal levy McCracken By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com A $1.5 million stake is riding on the May 5 ballot for the Firelands Schools. That's the amount generated each year by a 5.08-mill operating levy first passed in 2011. The school system is now seeking renewal of the property tax, which costs land owners $12.96 per month for every $100,000 worth of property they own. "We're not asking for any new money and it will keep the school district functioning the way it's been, which is above average," said board of education president Jane Battig. Just as household expenses have risen in the past four years, education expenses have also been hit, she said. Drastic cuts will come down the line should voters reject the renewal bid, district treasurer Brad McCracken said. That would force Firelands to return to voters with another plea. "Without it, we would immediately begin to experience deficit spending," he said. Prior to 2011, Firelands faced a more-than $1 million deficit, loss of state foundation money, and phase-out of the tangible personal property tax that supported education.That led to mass layoffs and course cutbacks. Since the levy was added to the books, though, Firelands has stabilized, expanded high school course offerings, and increased the number of college credits students can earn without leaving the Vermilion Road campus. At the same time, McCracken said officials have continued to "right-size" the district, cutting staff positions as enrollment has tapered. With voter approval, the operating levy will keep Firelands in the black through 2018- SeeHOPE5 II ill P J i kin III ili III it i ili & DofiD5 " "o LU UJ V S is si l -5 O t z.. E o w x 0 0 j., 1 gigill ! 1 f s 3 I O UJ I jl ! o 8 ei INDEX Obituaries: 2 Editorial: 4 Weather: 5 Sports: 9-10, 12 Classifieds: 9-10 -Share your news views at www. facebook.com AmherstNewsTimes - Follow AmherstNT on Twitter! -Have news to submit? Send it to Deadline for consideration is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. J01NTKE CCmTRSATICN What's your take on today's news? Go to theamherst newstimesxom and visit us on face-book to share your thoughts. IS 7 Jason Hawk Civitas Media Area police and fire chiefs accept recognition for their part is fighting heroin. Amherst police Chief Joseph Kucirek and Wellington Lt. Jeff Shelton were among those who attended in person to be honored. FECIAL R Naloxone is working EPORT: By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com "This is the zombie apocalypse." That's what Deborah Wilson called the heroin epidemic Friday as she spoke to a crowded room of police officers and firefighters at the Lorain County Community College Spitzer Center in Elyria. Heroin reduces addicts to "the walking dead," she said. Wilson knows she watched her adult son battle addiction, face arrest time and again, enter and skip rehabilitation programs, and riddle his arms with track marks. Her son tried heroin for the first time at age 18 and spent five days under psychiatric evaluation at Mercy Regional Medical Center. He wasn't able to get treatment because the three centers Wilson could afford were full. Soon, her son was off again with the wrong crowd. Following a home fire, an insurance company sent Wilson's son a $15,000 check. "That completely went into his arms. When he was home, he was sick, swearing, puking, in pain. This continued for weeks," Deborah remembered, breaking into sobs. After 20 days in treatment, Wilson's son persuaded a high school friend to help him leave rehab. He hit the heroin again almost immediately.Two days later, on March 18, a police officer told Wilson that her son had died of an overdose... at least for a very short time. A first responder, armed with the drug naloxone, was able to revive him and provide a second chance at life, Wilson said through tears. 63 LIVES SAVED Naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan, saved the lives of 63 people in Lorain County from October 2013 to October 2014, according to a report compiled by Project DAWN (that's Deaths See REPORT 1 6 Survey results: Elementaries need work By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com Public faith in teachers is high but Amherst elementary schools need attention, according to the results of an online survey that raked in 834 replies. Half of the residents who ranked school conditions said Powers Elementary needs either minor or major repairs and 22 percent said the building needs replaced entirely. ( Fifty-two percent said Harris Elementary needs repairs and seven percent advocated replacing the school. Nord Middle School also has issues, though 41 percent of those who addressed it on the survey said only minor repairs are needed, compared to 10 percent who said major repairs are necessary. A slim three percent said Nord must be replaced. Educators and support staff Sayers were far more critical of building conditions, the numbers show. None said Powers is in good condition and only four percent said Nord is in good shape. Steele also ranked low on that list with 10 percent saying it's fine as-is. The data comes from a questionnaire posted earlier this spring on the Amherst See SURVEY 1 3

Angels shave for a cause PACE 3 Relays honor Coolcy FACE 12 Old town hall razed PASES l' v.- I ail, :r f,fV Issue 18, Volume 33 Breaking news at theamherstne vst lmes.com Thursday, April 30, 2015 $1 Li U UUUUCiLlU W IWe) n . n fnr a II if I LI By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com Amherst taxpayers will foot an estimated $10,000 to $12,000 bill for a Democratic primary election on May 5, even though there are no contested races. Newcomer Justin Stevens filed in early February to challenge Amherst city council president John Dietrich. Under Ohio law, that created a primary.But Stevens withdrew March 3. Other Democrats seeking mayoral, council, and law director seats have no opponents, making the primary a bit of an empty hat. There are no run-offs on the Republican side of the aisle, either. Uncontested Republicans' names won't appear on the May ballot, however, because there was never a primary kicked off by a Dietrich challenger's filing. "This is not a one-time thing that has only happened in Lorain County, in Amherst," said county elections board director Paul Adams. He said similar scenarios have occurred statewide, causing elections association members to push for reforms. For example, there have been situations when a candidate has filed to run requiring a primary but has not provided enough valid signatures to meet the legal requirements of candidacy. There is no appeals process or way to cancel the election. "The law says it works this way," Adams said, sounding IN NOVEMBER This fall, Amherst races include: Mayor: David Kukucka (D) vs. Mark Costilow (R) Council at-large: David Janik (D), Joe Miller (D). Garrett Knoll (R), and Phil Van Treuren (R) will vie for three open seats. Second Ward: Angie Schubert (D) vs. Dave Goodell (R) Third Ward: David Shaffer (D) vs. Charles Winiarski (R) Note: Uncontested positions will go to law director Anthony Pecora (D), First Ward rep Steve Bukovac (D), and Fourth Ward rep Jennifer Wasilk(R). frustrated. "Whether the election has meaning is not for me to decide." Cities are charged for every election. In this case, Adams said it will cost up to $12,000 for ballots, poll workers, training, precinct supplies, and delivery of voting equipment. There is one minor exception: Some voters on Amherst's See COST I 5 Firelands puts hopes in renewal levy McCracken By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com A $1.5 million stake is riding on the May 5 ballot for the Firelands Schools. That's the amount generated each year by a 5.08-mill operating levy first passed in 2011. The school system is now seeking renewal of the property tax, which costs land owners $12.96 per month for every $100,000 worth of property they own. "We're not asking for any new money and it will keep the school district functioning the way it's been, which is above average," said board of education president Jane Battig. Just as household expenses have risen in the past four years, education expenses have also been hit, she said. Drastic cuts will come down the line should voters reject the renewal bid, district treasurer Brad McCracken said. That would force Firelands to return to voters with another plea. "Without it, we would immediately begin to experience deficit spending," he said. Prior to 2011, Firelands faced a more-than $1 million deficit, loss of state foundation money, and phase-out of the tangible personal property tax that supported education.That led to mass layoffs and course cutbacks. Since the levy was added to the books, though, Firelands has stabilized, expanded high school course offerings, and increased the number of college credits students can earn without leaving the Vermilion Road campus. At the same time, McCracken said officials have continued to "right-size" the district, cutting staff positions as enrollment has tapered. With voter approval, the operating levy will keep Firelands in the black through 2018- SeeHOPE5 II ill P J i kin III ili III it i ili & DofiD5 " "o LU UJ V S is si l -5 O t z.. E o w x 0 0 j., 1 gigill ! 1 f s 3 I O UJ I jl ! o 8 ei INDEX Obituaries: 2 Editorial: 4 Weather: 5 Sports: 9-10, 12 Classifieds: 9-10 -Share your news views at www. facebook.com AmherstNewsTimes - Follow AmherstNT on Twitter! -Have news to submit? Send it to Deadline for consideration is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. J01NTKE CCmTRSATICN What's your take on today's news? Go to theamherst newstimesxom and visit us on face-book to share your thoughts. IS 7 Jason Hawk Civitas Media Area police and fire chiefs accept recognition for their part is fighting heroin. Amherst police Chief Joseph Kucirek and Wellington Lt. Jeff Shelton were among those who attended in person to be honored. FECIAL R Naloxone is working EPORT: By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com "This is the zombie apocalypse." That's what Deborah Wilson called the heroin epidemic Friday as she spoke to a crowded room of police officers and firefighters at the Lorain County Community College Spitzer Center in Elyria. Heroin reduces addicts to "the walking dead," she said. Wilson knows she watched her adult son battle addiction, face arrest time and again, enter and skip rehabilitation programs, and riddle his arms with track marks. Her son tried heroin for the first time at age 18 and spent five days under psychiatric evaluation at Mercy Regional Medical Center. He wasn't able to get treatment because the three centers Wilson could afford were full. Soon, her son was off again with the wrong crowd. Following a home fire, an insurance company sent Wilson's son a $15,000 check. "That completely went into his arms. When he was home, he was sick, swearing, puking, in pain. This continued for weeks," Deborah remembered, breaking into sobs. After 20 days in treatment, Wilson's son persuaded a high school friend to help him leave rehab. He hit the heroin again almost immediately.Two days later, on March 18, a police officer told Wilson that her son had died of an overdose... at least for a very short time. A first responder, armed with the drug naloxone, was able to revive him and provide a second chance at life, Wilson said through tears. 63 LIVES SAVED Naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan, saved the lives of 63 people in Lorain County from October 2013 to October 2014, according to a report compiled by Project DAWN (that's Deaths See REPORT 1 6 Survey results: Elementaries need work By Jason Hawk jhawkcivitasmedia.com Public faith in teachers is high but Amherst elementary schools need attention, according to the results of an online survey that raked in 834 replies. Half of the residents who ranked school conditions said Powers Elementary needs either minor or major repairs and 22 percent said the building needs replaced entirely. ( Fifty-two percent said Harris Elementary needs repairs and seven percent advocated replacing the school. Nord Middle School also has issues, though 41 percent of those who addressed it on the survey said only minor repairs are needed, compared to 10 percent who said major repairs are necessary. A slim three percent said Nord must be replaced. Educators and support staff Sayers were far more critical of building conditions, the numbers show. None said Powers is in good condition and only four percent said Nord is in good shape. Steele also ranked low on that list with 10 percent saying it's fine as-is. The data comes from a questionnaire posted earlier this spring on the Amherst See SURVEY 1 3